India’s mobility and logistics sector maintained steady momentum in March, with truck rentals across key trunk routes remaining firm and registering marginal month-on-month increases, according to the latest Shriram Mobility Bulletin.
The stability in freight rates was largely driven by year-end dispatch activity and rising operating cost pressures, even as overall cargo movement remained consistent across regions.
However, the month witnessed a significant disruption in LPG tanker movement, primarily due to curtailed supplies, which impacted segment-specific logistics activity.
On a year-on-year basis, trucking demand showed resilience across major corridors. The Delhi–Kolkata–Delhi route recorded a notable 10 per cent increase in activity, followed by the Bengaluru–Mumbai–Bengaluru corridor at 9 per cent. On a monthly basis, most routes reported only limited gains, reflecting stable demand conditions.
The firmness in truck rentals has been attributed to sustained industrial output and consumption-driven freight movement towards the close of the financial year. This was further supported by stable fleet availability and the absence of major supply-side disruptions.
Looking ahead, the sector faces potential cost pressures stemming from external and domestic factors. The ongoing conflict in West Asia is expected to influence logistics operations through rising fuel-linked costs.
In addition, tyre manufacturers have implemented price hikes effective April 1, driven by elevated crude oil prices and higher input costs. Coupled with the seasonal revision in toll charges from the same date, these factors are likely to push truck rentals upward in the coming months.
The bulletin also noted that an early onset of summer could moderate logistics activity levels, potentially impacting freight demand in the near term.